Sprinkler head having alpha removable nozzle unit



Sept 6, 1932- w. VAN E. THoMPsoN 1,875,730

SPRINKLER HEAD HAVING A REMOVABLE HOZZLE UNIT Filed June l25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [NMEA/roe: h/a/er Van f. 73am as, a

Hrrogefvsx Sept 5, 1932-- w. VAN E. THOMPSON 1,875,780

SPRINKLEH HEAD HAVING A REMOVABLE NOZZLE UNIT Filed June 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y El* 27a.

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SePt- 6, 1932- w. VAN E. THOMPSON 1,875,780 I SPRINKLER HEAD HAVING A REMOVABLE NOZZLE UNIT Filed June 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l I l f/v VEN Tae; h/a//e Km, j 75a TTo/vey Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES" PATENT oFF'lcEA WALTER VAN E. THOMPSON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR`TO THOMPSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OP` CALIFORNIA srnINxLEn HEAD HAVING A REMOVABLE nozznn nnrr Application led vJune k25, 1928. Serial No. 287,919.

My invention relates to irrigation sprin` irrigation system is used on playgrounds,`

golf courses, 'and the like,` because during the use of the property there are no projecting parts of the 'sprinkler system Whiclrvvill interfere With the use of the property. When it is desired to irrigate the property, the de` tachable sprinkler-unit may be attached to the permanent part-of the underground por-` tion.

This type of sprinkler is usually made so in which the sprinkler-unit is connected tov the permanent part before the valve is opened. This feature is advantageous inasmuch as it prevents leakage during the installing of the sprinkler-unit.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a sprinkler system in which the valve of kler-unit is detached from the permanent part. This feature prevents a leakage during the removal of the sprinkler-unit.

A still further object of my invention isto provide a sprinkler system in which the sprinkler-unit is screw-threadedly ,connected to the premanent part of the system. This feature provides a reliable connection between these parts so that a fluid-tight connection is assured, and so that there is no thereto. In the ordinary formof sprinkler the permanent part is closed-before the sprinnot installed thereon.

danger of the sprinkler-unit being inadvertently detached.` Y y f A still further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler systemof the character in Which the permanent part has a Water passage Which is closedv by a closure member, and in which the sprinkler-unit has a coupling portion Which removes the closure from the end of the passage when the sprinklerunit is installed. VThe couplingVv portion moves into, the endrof the passage as the closure is removed from the end of thepassage. This feature of the invention prevents .y foreign matter from entering the permanent partyand furthermore provides for a tight closing for the permanent part When thel sprinkler-unit is notinstalled thereon. v

A further object of theinv'ention is to provide a sprinkler systemy of the character referred to, in Which the closure operates a valve of the permanent part, Which valvev closes thepassage therethrough.

A further object of the invention'istoprovide a sprinkler system in which the closure is threadedly located in theend 'of the pasr sage, and in which the sprinklerunit has means for rotating the closure to advance it from the end of the passage, thefcoupling portion of the ysprinkler-unit also being threaded and being advanced into the threadedend as the closure is advanced from the threaded end. y r

It is another object of the invention to providea sprinkler system of the character speciied, in which the valve of the permanent portion is adjustable relative to the closure, so' that it may be opened different degrees when the sprinkler-unit is attached in order to per'- mit different volumes of Water to pass through the sprinkler-unit.

It is a still further object of the invention 'toy to provide a sprinkler unit of the characterV specified` in which the closure. carries lmeans sure is in a closing position in the end ofthe passage. tively prevents a leakage of Water from the, permanent part when the sprinkler-unit is A still further object of the invention is to for positively seating the valve when the clo- This feature of the invention posi- 3Q, jects/of the invention will be described, and

provide a sprinkling system of the character mentioned, in which the means for determining the amount that the valve is opened when the sprinklerunit is installed in place,

may be adjusted while the sprinkler-unit is detached, and may be adjusted from the top of the permanent part without disassembling any of the parts.

' It is a still further object of the invention at least partly in the end of the passage, the,

closure engages and opens the valve so that ajlow of water occurs.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide a sprinkler systemin which the closure "Nis'moved into'the end of the passage, when the coupling part of Vthe sprinkler-unit is moved therefrom, and in which the closure, whenv it is in closing position inthe opening, engages the valvey and positivelyl clampsit against its seat. f I have brieflyenumerated whatI consider to be the most important objects of the invention. In the following description, other obthe construction of the invention which embodies these objects will be pointed out in detall. Y l i K i In order that .theinvention may be readily understoodby those skilled in the art, I shall refer during the following description to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1.is an elevational view partly in section showing that part of a sprinkler system illustrates theV parts in such va position that the valve of the invention is about to be opened. Y l v Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views taken on the corresponding lines of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an elevational section showing the sprinkler-unit fullyv attached to the permanent part.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on theline 7-7 of Fig. 6.v

I will now describe in detail the parts shown in the drawings, which vconstitute my invention. j

The sprinkler system includes underground header-piping 11 provided with Ts 12 from which vertical supply-pipes 13 extend. To the upper ends of the vertical supj ply-pipes 13, permanent parts 14 which embody the features of the invention, are secured.

I shall now describe in detail the construction of the permanent part 14, and the sprinkler-unit 15 which cooperates therewith. Threadedly secured at 2O at the upper end of the supply-pipe 13, is a shell 21, the upper end 22 of which is located at or slightly below-the level 23 of the ground. f

The shell 21 provides awater-passage 25. The upper end of the water-passage 25 is re,- duced in diameter, and is provided with a threaded-'end 26. The upper part of the water-passage 25 is provided with three equis'paced vertical guide-ribs 27, the upper ends of which have continuations 27a vof the threads in the threaded-end 26. The central part of the shell 21 has an annular partition 23 which extends inwardly into the passage 25, and defines a cylindrical opening'29. The partition 28 constitutes a valve seat which is engaged by a valve 31, which will now be ole-V scribed. f

a gasket 33, this gasket 33 being adapted toV engage the partition 28 for forming a fluidgasket 33 is a cylindrical wall 35 adapted to.

project through the cylindrical opening 29. The cylindrical wall 35 is provided with J- vshaped notchesv36 which act as a regulating means for the valve.

The lower portion of the part 32 isin the form of a cylindrical boss 36a, and is guided by guide-ribs 37 formed in the lower part of the passage 25. Threadedly secured in this.

cylindrical boss 36 is a cup-shaped member 38 providing a chamber 39 which is not in' communication with the passage 25 below the partition 28. v Y f The threaded end 26 of the shell 21 is adapted to be closed by a plug 42 which constitutes the closure of the invention. This closure 42 has a threaded opening 43, into which the upper end of atube 44 is screwed. The lower end of the tube 44 extends through an Vopening 45 ofthe member 32 and into the upper part of the chamber 39. The lower end of this tube 44 is threaded, and a shoulder in the form of a nut 46 is screwed thereon. The nut 46 is adapted to engage a lower face 47 provided by the member 32 in the upper part of the chamber 39. rThe shoulder 46 isadapted to pull the valve 31 upwardly sothat the gasket 33 positively and tightly engages its seat. The tube 44 and the shoulder 46 constitute the valve-closing means of the invention.

' The central part of the tubeV 44 is reduced in size, as indicated at 49, and is provided with internal threads. Threadedly supported in this portion 49 of the tube 44 is a plunger 50. The lowerend of the plunger 50 extends into the chamber 39, and is adapted to engagey is accessible from the top of the permanentV part 14. The plunger 50 constitutes the Valveopening means of the invention.

The sprinkler-unit 15 has a coupling-partv 60.to which a vertical column-pipe 61 is threadedly secured. The 'upper end of the col- Y umn-pipe 61 is provided with a rotating sprinkler-head 62, which may be of any standard `form. vThe coupling-part is provided with handles 63 whereby it may be rotated. Projecting downward from the main portion of the coupling-part 60 is a threadedportion 64 provided with external threads 65 of the same diameter and pitch as the internal threads in the end 26 of the shell 21. Supportedin the lower part of a passage 66 `formed through the coupling-part 60 is a diametral key 67, which projects downward on the lowerpart of the threaded-portion 64. This key 67 is adapted to extend into a key-slot 68 provided in the upper part of the closure 42, as is illustrated in the drawings. Threadedly secured. at 7 0 to the coupling-part 60 is a guide-sleeve 71. The guidesleeve 71 is .cylindrical and is of such a diA ameter that it will receive the upper part of the shell 21. The guide-sleeve 71is adapted to hold the coupling-part 60 in alignment with the shell 21 so that the threaded-portion will be in alignment with the threaded-end 260i the passage 25.

At the upper part of the threaded-portion 64, inside the guide-sleeve 70, is an annular packing-member 72 adapted to form a-seal between the coupling-part 60 and the upper end 26 of the shell 21, when the sprinklerunit 15 is connected to the permanent-part 14. as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, the parts of the permanent-part 14 are shown in the position they occupy when the sprinkler-unit 15 is disconnected therefrom. It will be seen that the valve 21 is tightly closed, and that the closure 42 closes the upper end of the passage Y 25. All of the parts are at 4this time below the ground level 23, and `will not interfere with any activities on the property. Then ,it is desired to irrigate the property, the sprinkler-unit 15 is attached to the permanent-part 14. The operation of attachingV the parts will now be described.

The sprinkler-unit 15 is placed in such a position that the key 67 extends into the keyslot 68, and the lower part of the guide-sleeve 71 extends around the upper part of the shell 21. The sprinkler-unit is shown in this position in Fig. 1. The sprinkler-unit isthen rotated by means of the handles 63 in such a direction thaty the plug or closure 42 vis screwed downward from the threaded end 26 of the shell 21. As the closure 42 advances downward, thev sprinkler-unit 15 moves downward therewith, and the threaded-portion 64 will be screwed into the threaded end 26 of the passage 25. The key 67 is made of a proper size so that the threads 65 of the threaded-portion 64 will properly enter the threaded-end 26 oi the passage 25.A

In Fig. 2, the sprinkler-unit 15 is shown partly connected Vto the permanent-part 14.' ln this iigure the lower endof the threadedportion 64 has entered the threaded-end 26. The closure 42 in this view is shown partly advanced from the threaded-end 26. VIt will be noted that the closure isengaging the continuations27a of the threads of the threadedend 26. Fig. 2 also illustrates the plunger 50 in engagement with Vthe lower Wall of the cup 38. In this position the'plunger 50 is about to remove the valve 31 trom its seat, and to permit a llow of water through the sprinkler-unit 15. It will be noted that the valve is not opened until after the threadedportion 64 of the coupling-part 60 has entered the threaded-end 26 of the passage 25.

The sprinkler-unit 15 isrotated until the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6 the threaded-portion 64has completely entered the threaded-end 26, and the annular gasket-or sealing-means 72 is in sealing contact with the upper end 22 of the shell 21. Y There is absolutely no ossibility Lof,,any leakage.V The lower end ci) by reason of its engagement with the lower wall of the cup 38, has moved. the valve 31 from closed position, as illustrated in Figs'. 1 and 2, into open position as Aillustrated in Fig. 6. At this time the water will llow through the passage 25, as indicated by arrows 75, and into the sprinkler-unit 15 as indicated by arrows 76. The water pressure on the cup 3.8 holds the cup against the lower end of the plunger 50, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

The sprinkler-unit 15 is detached from the permanent-part 14 by rotatingit in the opposite direction from which it is rotated to install it. When this-rotation occurs, the threaded-portion 64 of the coupling-part 60 moves upward from the threaded-end 26 of the passage l25. The continuations 27a adat'A ich

its

Vance the closure 42 upwardl until it has enand the parts connected thereto continue to i move upward. There is at this time arelative movement between the shoulder 46 and 4.9i parts.

`fthe valve 3l, the shoulder 46 moving toward 60 VVI the closure 42.

ith-e permanent part 14.

the face 47 provided by the member 32. When the closure member 42 arrives at closing position, as indicated in Fig. l, the shoulder 45 has moved into engagement with the face 47, and has clamped the gasket 33 against the lower wall of the partition 28, thus forming a fluid-tight seal. Y

s u u lhe construction we have just described j embodies all of the features of the invention which were pointed out in the statement of invention of the application.

Briefly eniimerated, the most important ad vantages of the inventionare as follows:

During the attaching and-detaching of the sprinkler-unit l5, there is absolutely no lealtage between the parts, in view ot the fact that the valve 31 is not opened until after the threaded-portion 64 has entered the threaded-end 26, and in view of the tact that the valve 3l is closed before the threaded-portion 64 is entirely advanced from the threadedend 26.

Another advantage results from threadedly connecting the sprinkler-unit l5 to the permanent part 14. This threaded connection makes it possible to form a fluid-tight seal, and assures that the sprinkler-unit l5 will not become inadvertently detached from Another advantage of the invention results from theV providing of the closure 42 which fills the Vthreaded end 25 when the sprinkler-unit l5 is detached from the per- Imanent-part 14. vThis provisionr absolutely prevents any dirt or other foreign matter Vfrom entering the permanent-part 14, and

obviates the possibility of any foreign matter interfering with the operation of the A further feature of the invention results from theprovision of the adjustable plunger 50, which determines the time during the a+- taching of the sprinkler-unit l5 at which the jvalve 3l will be removed from its seat, and

determines the amount that the valve will be opened. By screwing the plunger 50 upward the valve will be opened a smaller amount than is shown in F ig. 6, and by screwing the plunger 50 ldownward the valve will be opened a greater amount than is shown in Fig. 6.

Another advantage of the invention is that the plunger. 50 is adjustable when the sprin- -I iler unit 15 is removed, without requiring the dismantling of any of the parts of the per-V manent-part 14. es shown in the drawings, the upper end of the plunger 50 is accessible through the top of the opening 43 formed 1n There are numerous other inherent and obvious advantages of the invention, which I believe have been made manifest in the foregoing description.

I have described the invention as embodied 'but may be embodied in construction ofother arts where it is desired to have parts equivalent to the operative parts illustrated in this application. In view of the breadth of the invention, I desire to have the invention construed in the scope of the appendedl claims.

I claim as my invention l. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell forming a passage; a valve adapted to close said passa-ge; a closure adapted to close one end of said passage; means detachably connected to said shell for removing said closure from closing-position, said means moving into the end of said passage as said closure is removed therefrom; and valve-opening means for unseating. said valve as said closure is removed from closing position. f

In a device of the class described, the combination of: a. shell forming a passage; a valve adapted to close said passage; a closure adapted to close one end of said passage; means for removing said closure from closing position, said means moving into the end'of said passage as said closure is removed therefrom; valve-opening means for seatingsaid valve when said closure is removed fromA closing position; and valveclosing means forV positively Aholding said valve against itsseat as said closure is in closing position. Y I A f 3. In adevice of the class described, the combination of -a shell forming a passage; a valve adapted to close (said. passage; a closure adapted to close one end of said passage; means for removing saidY closure from closing position, said means moving into the end of said passage as said closure is removed therefrom; adjustable valve-opening means for unseating said valve when said closure is removed from closing position; and valveclosing means for positively rholding said valve against itsseat as said closure is moved into closing position.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell forming apassage, said passage having a screw-threadedend; a. valve adapted to close said passage; a closure adapted to screw-thread into said screwthreaded end ofsaid passage; means for rotating said closure so as to advancev same from said screw-threaded end, said means being screwed into said screw-threaded end of said passage as said closurefis removed therefrom; and valve-opening means for unseating said valve as said closure is removed from closing position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell forming a passage; a valve adapted to Close said passage, said passage having a screw-threaded end; a cloilo sure adapted to screw-thread into said screwthreaded end of said passage; means for roa closure screwed into said screw-threaded into said screw-threaded end when said cloinvano tating said closure so :as-to `advance .same from said screw-threaded end, said' means being screwed into said screw-threaded end of said passage as said closure is removed therefrom; and adjustable valve opening means for unseating'said valve as said closure is removed from closing position. n g I `6. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell having a passage, said passage having a screw-threaded end; a closure screwed -into said screw hreaded end for closing saines; means 'for rotating said closure in order to advance same from said screw-threaded end, said means having a screw-threaded portion `which "is advanced into said screw-threaded end when said closure is advanced from said screw-threaded end; a valve adapted to close said passage; and a valve-opening means operated by said closure for opening said valve as said closure is advanced from said screw-threaded end.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell having a passage, said passage having a screw-tlireaded end; a closure screwed into said screw-threaded end for closing same; means for rotating said closure in order to advance same from said screw-threaded end, said means having a screw-threaded portion which is advanced into said screw-threaded end when said closure is advanced from said screw-threaded end; a valve adapted to close said passage; and a stem threadedly held by said closure, adapted to engage said valve, for opening said valve as said closure is advanced from said screw-threaded end.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell having a passage, said passage having a screw-threaded end;

end for closing same; means or rotating said closure in order to advance same from said screw-threaded end, said means having a screw-threaded portion which is advanced sure is advanced from said screw-threaded end; a valve adapted to close said passage; a valve-opening means operated by said closure for opening said valve when said closure is advanced from said screw-threaded end; and valve-closing means for positively holding said valve against its'seat as said closure is moved into closed position in said screw-threaded end.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell having a passage, said passage having a screw-threaded end; a closure screwed into said screw-threaded end for closing same; means for rotating said closure in order to advance same from said screw-threaded end, said means having a screw-threaded portion which Ais advanced into said screw-threaded end when said clolsure is advanced from said screw-threaded end; a valve adapted to close said passa e; a valve-opening means operated by saidv c oa sure for opening said valve whensaid closure is advanced Vfrom said screw-threaded end; and a tube carried by! said'closure, having a shoulder adapted Ito engage-said valve for positively lioldingsaid valve against its seat as said closure is inovedinto closed position in said screw-threaded end. f

10. In a device of' the class described, the f toiclose ysaid passage; and avalve-opening meansoperated by said closure for opening n said valve assaidvclosure is advancedy from said screw-threadedend.

Y lll'. In a device ofy the classdescribed," theV combination of: ai shell having aipassage, saidpassage havinga screw-threadedy end; a closure screwed into said screw-threaded-end for closing samegineansfor rotating @said closure in order to advance same `from said screw-threaded end, said means having' fa screw-threaded portion which `is advanced into said screw-threaded en'd Vwhen said closureis advanced from said screw-threaded end; guide means Jfor guiding said'means into said screwlthrea'ded end; a-valve adapt.- ed .to close said passage;` la valve-opening means. operated by Isaid `closure for o'pen-ing said valve when said'V closure -is advanced from said screw-threaded end;` and valve-A closing means for positively `holding saidl valve against its seat as said closure is moved into closed position in said screw-threaded end.

12. In a device ofthe class described,thev v iio combination of: 'a shell Ahaving a passage", f

said'passage having ascrew-threaded end; a closure screwed into'rsaid screw-threaded end for closing same; means for advancing said closure from said screw-threadedfend, said means having alv `screw-threaded` 'portion which =is advanced yinto said screw-threaded end as said closure .is advanced "from said screw-threaded end; guidejmeans for guiding said means Iinto Jsaid screw-threaded end;

avalve adapted to closeV said passage; and

valve-opening Vmeans loperated by said clo sure for openingy said valve simultaneously with the advancement of said closure from` said screw-threaded end. y,

13. `Ina device of the class described, the combination of: .a' shell having a passage provided with 4a screw-threaded-end; a clo-V sure screwed `into said' screw-threaded endv iis end.

4provided with a screw-threaded end; a closure screwed into said screw-threaded end for closing same; means for rotating said closure to advance -same from said screwthreaded end and having a screw-threaded portion adapted to be advanced into said screw-threaded end; guides forV guiding said means intosaid screw-'threaded end; a valve adapted to-close said passage; valve-opening means operable by said closure for simultaneously opening said valvey as said closure is advanced vfrom said screw-threaded end;

and valve-closing means forpositively hold?` ing said valve against its lseat as said closure is moved intoclosed position in said screwthreadedend. i

15.. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a shell having a passage provided with a screw-threaded end; a closure screwed;y into said screw-threaded end for closing same; means for rotating said closure to advance same from said screwfthreaded endand having a screwrthreaded portion adapted to be advanced into said screw-4 threaded end when said closure isy advanced 'mi from said screw-threaded end; guides for guiding said means into said screw-threaded end; a valve adapted to close said passage; valve-opening means operable by said closure for simultaneously opening said valve as said mi closure is advanced from said screw-threaded end; and valve-closing means for positively holding said Valve against its seat simultaneously with the movement of said closure into closed 16. `In a lawn sprinkling-deviceA of the class described, the combination of: a shell adapted to be attached Yto a supply system,

said shell having a` passage; a closure adapted f i to close said passage; a removable part having a conduit, said removable part adapted to be placed with said conduit in communication with said passage, said removable ,part

being adapted to unseat said closure when said removable part is attached to said shell; a

valve adapted to close said passage; and valve-opening means carried by said closure for unseating said valve, saidv valve-opening means being adjustable so thatsaid valve may be'unseated different amounts in order to perposition in said screw-threaded mit different amounts of fluid to flow through said pas'sage.` i

17. In a device of the class described for use in'spr'inkling systems, the combination of: a shell having a passage; a closure member for closing said'passage; a'lvalve member adapted to seat in said passage; and anunseating means adjustably carried by one of said members whereby said valve memberis unseated when said closure member is yin non-closingV positions, there being an opening in said closure member through which said unseating means is accessible. Y Y

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto s et my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 19th day of June, 1928.

WALTER vAN E. THOMPSON.

Y no

f ist CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,875,780. September 6, 1932.

WALTER VAN E. THOMPSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as oiiows: Page 4, line 97, claim 2, for the word "in" read moved into; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record oi the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of November, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

